Learnings: Keeping Allies Close

A Viking sword (in good condition) / c. Viking Age

To hold onto his power, a chieftain had to keep his companions happy—in other words, wealthy, Whether by trade of by war, Norse leaders needed to get their hands on loot and riches to redistribute them to their allies. This was how they kept their companions in line.

A sword like this one might have been given by a wealthy leader to a trusted ally—or one whose loyalty he wanted to ensure.